Bhopal gas-affected people yet to get quality medical care: Petitioners to HC

Two outfits representing victims of the Bhopal Gas tragedy informed the MP high court on Monday that the affected people are yet to get quality medical care at BMHRC in absence of proper facilities and shortage of doctors.

The petitioner said each of the gas affected persons were yet to get a health booklet bearing his or her complete medical record.(HT file)

Two outfits representing victims of the Bhopal Gas tragedy informed the MP high court on Monday that the affected people are yet to get quality medical care at BMHRC in absence of proper facilities and shortage of doctors.

Petitioners Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Sanghtan and Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangarsh Sahayog Samiti stated this in their response to a compliance report filed by the Centre regarding steps taken to improve medical facilities, including availability of doctors, at Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre.

ND Jaiparkash, a co-convenor of Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangarsh Sahayog Samiti, stated each of the victims were yet to get a booklet bearing complete medical record. “It is failure of BMHRC during past 16 years of its existence to computerise the medical records of each gas (tragedy) affected person,” the reply said.

Located in Bhopal, the 350-bed BMHRC was set up to provide advanced tertiary level super specialty care to the gas tragedy victims and also to extend services to the public at large.

The petitioners stated the Centre’s report doesn’t give clear and correct picture of the type and number of high-end diagnostic equipment and accessories that each of the 18 medical departments of BMHRC actual require. “The Union government must furnish details about actual shortage of diagnostic equipment and accessories in each of these medical departments,” Jaiprakash said.

The petitioners also drew the court’s attention that the annual contract for maintenance of fire detection and alarm system at BMHRC expired on September 30 and it needs to be renewed.

Later, the high court adjourned hearing of the petition till December 5.